We're deep in the throes of summer. Here's what that means in NYC: temperatures have risen higher than should be allowed (95 degrees at night? no, thanks), we're still struggling with the humidity (the subways feel like saunas), and yup, the mobs of people walking at glacial speed are larger than ever (positive: I haven't lost it yet).
Maybe I'm being too dramatic, but over these difficult times, I've turned to a select number of products to keep me sane and happy. Some are completely practical (kind of), but others just make me feel like I could survive an afternoon in the most humid places.

And just a note, this is excluding all of the iced mochas I've had and the number of times I've ignored my kitchen because it's too h-o-t... I could write you a book on those adventures alone.

Without further ado, if you're struggling to survive another summer in the city, consider these five lifesavers:

Okay, so here's the deal: I only recently bought an iPhone. It's a travesty, I know. I was one of "those Android people" as my friend used to say until late May. Naturally, I'm obsessed with it and treat it like my child. I like to dress it up in the latest garbs (phone cases), and the latest one to grab my attention comes from Native Union. Made entirely of marble (you didn't think this trend was exclusive to kitchen countertops, did you?), it's the coolest case and makes me feel sophisticated af. It's my latest summer accessory, and you can bet I'm showing it off.

I wasn't kidding when I said the humidity is unbearable. It was so humid this weekend that I felt as though I was walking through water, but that would have been 100 times better than the NYC weather. This humidity condition (calling it a condition because it feels like something that we need to cure) was made worse by my hair. It's extremely fine and likes to misbehave. Cue NATU. I was recently introduced to this brand of all-natural hair products, and I am in love. Not only did it tame my big, frizzy hair, it did so without weighing down my hair. Can you say #blessed?

Everyone and their mother surely knows about the Glossier showroom by now. But just in case you don't... let me rock your world. The beauty brand we've all come to know and love is opening its doors every Friday through September 11th from 11am to 6pm. Shoppers can head over to the Glossier penthouse at 123 Lafayette Street (between Howard and Canal) to try products like the Coconut Balm Dotcom and the Moisturizing Moon Face Mask. While you're there, make sure to check out the escape room created by artist Grace Villamil especially for Glossier. It's like chilling inside of a diamond, and I can't think of a better space to spend my time in this heat.

Nothing tells people "don't bother me" better than a hat that literally says "out of office." While I'd like to be wearing this on an island when I am actually out of office (St. Barths on anyone's mind?), I feel slightly better with this hat on my head. Then again, this hat might just be me hoping that it sends off a single to everyone a.k.a. "let's not talk until the temperatures have dropped below 80 degrees."

It takes zero convincing to get me to go out for ice cream (you hear that, boys?). In fact, I've had ice cream every night over the last four days, and that's a fact I am proud to share with you. I've made up my own rules for survival, and Ice and Vice over on 221 East Broadway (near Clinton St) is at the top of my list. The "experimental" ice cream shop is churning out flavors like "Basic B" (Mexican vanilla & black lava sea salt) and "Movie Night" (buttered popcorn, toasted raising & dark chocolate flakes). Amazing names, even better ice cream. My favorite? The "9AM" (french roast coffee, chicory, saigon cinnamon, condensed milk & donut truffle). I may hate mornings, but if it has coffee, you can bet I'm going to love it.

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How are you getting through the rest of the summer? Any tips? In this exact moment, you can find me roaming through the city wishing I lived in Antarctica. So please, let me know how you're surviving this treacherous heat below!